JOB REPORT / 29-1122 · 38 TASKS

Occupational Therapists.

Can AI do the work of Occupational Therapists?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Complete and maintain necessary records
Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training…
Participate in professional development activities

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Occupational Therapists work. It covers the 31 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

31 of 38 tasks reviewed

This job has 38 core tasks. We went through 31 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Occupational Therapists actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Complete and maintain necessary records.
AI DOES
Drafts session notes, auto-fills forms, and flags missing fields
YOU DO
Review every detail for clinical accuracy and legal sign-off
TASK 02
Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
AI DOES
Drafts report sections, suggests standard language, and checks grammar
YOU DO
Supply real patient observations and make clinical calls about progress and goals
TASK 03
Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
AI DOES
Summarizes research articles, recommends relevant literature, and drafts notes from learning sessions
YOU DO
Build real relationships with colleagues and apply lived clinical experience to what you learn
TASK 04
Conduct research in occupational therapy.
AI DOES
Searches databases, summarizes studies, and spots patterns across research papers
YOU DO
Judge which findings apply to your specific patients and clinical context
TASK 05
Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
AI DOES
Drafts goal frameworks, summarizes assessment results, and suggests evidence-based strategies
YOU DO
Listen to the client's real life, adjust plans to their environment and values, and build the trust that makes rehab work
TASK 06
Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
AI DOES
Pulls research-backed activity ideas and matches them to stated capability profiles
YOU DO
Watch the person in action and adapt choices to their real-life setting and motivation
TASK 07
Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
AI DOES
Drafts structured progress report templates and suggests language from session notes
YOU DO
Observe the patient in person and judge whether goals are truly being met
TASK 08
Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs.
AI DOES
Recommends exercise programs, tracks performance trends, and flags skill gaps in the data
YOU DO
Watch the client closely and adapt each session to their mood, energy, and progress
TASK 09
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
AI DOES
Suggests evidence-based exercises, drafts program outlines, and speeds up documentation
YOU DO
Assess each patient in person and adapt plans to their unique physical, emotional, and social needs
TASK 10
Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.
AI DOES
Suggests activity ideas, drafts program plans, and finds resources tailored to patient goals
YOU DO
Show up in person, read the patient, and adapt activities in real time
TASK 11
Design instructional programs to improve communication, using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).
AI DOES
Drafts program templates, summarizes device research, and suggests activity sequences based on best practices
YOU DO
Assess each individual in person and adapt the plan to their real abilities and goals
TASK 12
Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
AI DOES
Pulls up evidence-based modification guidelines and drafts recommendation reports
YOU DO
Observe the real space and patient in person before finalizing any plan
TASK 13
Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
AI DOES
Reviews medical history, flags patterns in data, and suggests evidence-based rehab benchmarks
YOU DO
Observe the patient in person, build trust, and set goals that fit their real life
TASK 14
Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
AI DOES
Drafts training materials, home exercise guides, and plain-language instruction sheets
YOU DO
Show up in person, read caregiver stress, and adjust teaching style on the spot
TASK 15
Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
AI DOES
Summarizes therapy research, drafts coordination notes, and flags scheduling conflicts
YOU DO
Lead live team conversations and tailor plans to each patient's real situation
TASK 16
Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.
AI DOES
Suggests equipment options, generates design specs, and searches catalogs for adaptive tools
YOU DO
Assess the patient in person and adjust the fit to their unique body and needs
TASK 17
Monitor clients' progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed.
AI DOES
Tracks logged progress notes, flags trends, and suggests plan adjustments based on documented outcomes
YOU DO
Observe the client in real environments and use personal judgment about their safety and wellbeing
TASK 18
Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff.
AI DOES
Drafts training materials, lesson plans, and quizzes on therapy techniques
YOU DO
Watch students practice live and give real-time, hands-on feedback
TASK 19
Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability.
AI DOES
Researches evidence-based activities, drafts program outlines, and suggests discussion topics for group sessions
YOU DO
Show up, connect with clients personally, and adjust the program based on how people are actually feeling
TASK 20
Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement.
AI DOES
Summarizes health risk research, generates checklists, and drafts educational materials about workplace hazards and retirement planning
YOU DO
Assess each person's unique physical, emotional, and environmental situation face-to-face
TASK 21
Teach self-advocacy skills to clients.
AI DOES
Suggests scripts, practice scenarios, and resource lists for clients to use when asking for help
YOU DO
Build trust and coach real-time emotional courage in face-to-face sessions
TASK 22
Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
AI DOES
Helps score standardized tests, flags patterns in results, and suggests evidence-based rehab strategies
YOU DO
Observe the real client in person, apply clinical judgment, and build a plan that fits their unique life
TASK 23
Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions.
AI DOES
Summarizes client records, drafts shared care plans, and flags overlap between specialist goals
YOU DO
Build trust across disciplines and make real-time judgment calls about each client's unique needs
TASK 24
Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
AI DOES
Summarizes research on device options and helps document client profiles or comparison guides
YOU DO
Observe the client moving through real spaces and judge which device fits their body, vision, and daily life
TASK 25
Identify visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as self care, literacy, communication, health management, home management, and meal preparation.
AI DOES
Helps organize assessment checklists, summarize known impairment patterns, and flag areas to evaluate
YOU DO
Observe the person live, ask follow-up questions, and notice subtle functional struggles no screen can see
TASK 26
Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs.
AI DOES
Searches job listings, drafts resumes, and suggests resources based on patient skills and needs
YOU DO
Build trust with each patient and coach them through real-world challenges in person
TASK 27
Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.
AI DOES
Suggests lesson plans, explains techniques in plain language, and helps track client progress notes
YOU DO
Show up in person, adapt to each person's body and situation, and keep them safe while they learn
TASK 28SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.
AI DOES
Creates lesson plans and educational materials
YOU DO
Read the room and adapt in real time
About this analysis
32% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 29
Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
AI DOES
Helps organize assessment notes and flag patterns in client history
YOU DO
Conduct hands-on observation and build the human connection needed for honest assessment
TASK 30
Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.
AI DOES
Suggests training plans, equipment options, and instructional materials
YOU DO
Show up in person and guide each client's hands-on practice
TASK 31SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
AI DOES
Suggests relevant services based on client symptoms
YOU DO
Judge what each person truly needs
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Occupational Therapists
SOC code: 29-1122
Tasks reviewed: 31 of 38

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $100,330 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $106,720 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 162,450
Employed in Colorado: 3,390
Job outlook: +13.8% by 2034 · ~10,200 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Complete and maintain necessary records.

Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.

Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.

Conduct research in occupational therapy.

Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.

Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.

Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.

Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs.

Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.

Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.

Design instructional programs to improve communication, using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).

Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.

Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.

Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.

Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.

Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.

Monitor clients' progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed.

Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff.

Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability.

Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement.

Teach self-advocacy skills to clients.

Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.

Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions.

Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).

Identify visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as self care, literacy, communication, health management, home management, and meal preparation.

Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs.

Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.

Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.

Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.

Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.

Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.